The 538 Politics podcast has recently launched a mini-series called “Campaign Throwback,” which delves into the campaign tropes of past elections. Over three episodes, they will explore popular sayings and slogans from previous campaigns, such as “soccer moms,” or the question of which candidate you’d rather have a beer with. This series aims to examine where these tropes originated, whether they were accurate at the time, and if they still hold relevance today.
The first episode of this series focuses on the trope “It’s the economy, stupid,” which was famously used during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. During that campaign, Clinton’s chief strategist James Carville emphasized three key messages for his staff to remember: change versus more of the same, the importance of healthcare, and the need to address the economy. This second message about the economy was prominently featured in a documentary called “The War Room” that chronicled Clinton’s campaign and is now considered a staple in election analysis.
However, despite its enduring presence in politics, there is still some debate over whether this campaign trope remains accurate today. The episode explores this question by providing insights into how economic issues continue to shape political discourse and decision-making in modern times. To listen to this fascinating episode, check it out below or on your preferred podcast platform.